Technology - New Discoveries, Research, Studies And Breakthroughs

Curious about recent discoveries and breakthroughs in the tools, machines, methods and applications that can be used to solve real-world problems and challenges? Want the most interesting news and updates relating to our developing new ways to interact with our world and manage our lives? We cover them here.

Photosynthesis – the means by which plants are able to convert sunlight and carbon dioxide to useable chemical energy -- is one of the more remarkable natural feats. Scientists have long sought to exploit the process as a method of more efficiently harvesting solar energy, but have so far been thwarted by relatively low efficiencies. Now a research team has found a nanobioengineering technique using carbon nanotubes to dramatically increase light absorption and enhance energy generation by nearly 50%.

For years the clothing industry has sought a fabric that could repel stains. The white shirt particularly, has always been the most susceptible garment to suffer from irreversible stains, but no more. Read on to learn more about the amazing unstainable white shirt.

Scientists in Finland have achieved record-breaking 22.1% photovoltaic efficiency using a nanostructured material known as black silicon. In a field known for progressing in minute steps, this result, which is a full 4% higher than any previous black silicon cell is particularly remarkable and brings this new photovoltaic material very suddenly into the mainstream.

You won't see anything like it anywhere else: CyberPower's latest configurable computer has a funky looking case that splits its hardware between three wings. Not only does this improve cooling, but it also makes the system look more like a spaceship.

Driverless vehicles? Stop right there: a study by researchers from Euro NCAP indicates widespread use of Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) systems could reduce the frequency of rear-end crashes by 38 percent.

Around here, we've seen vending machines of all categories, and they
tend to be a fan favorite. The features on marijuana vending seem to
have particular appeal among our readers, and with the changing laws,
the competition is getting fierce when it comes to naming the most
innovative concept.

Materials scientists have developed a new metallic foam that is less dense than water, meaning that ships built from this material can continue to float regardless of structural damage. Though this is not the first example of a lightweight metal composite, this is the first that is also strong and stable enough to endure the challenges of a marine environment making unsinkable ships a realistic application.

More cores is better. Right? MediaTek seems to think so. The Helio X20 SoC packs a whopping 10 ARM cores, and support for a certain cellular wireless standard should allow Android smartphones bearing the chip to show up in the US.

Quirky.com is a great site aimed at inventors and something you can take advantage of to market your ideas into products, but not everything makes it to the production floor. How can you maximize your chances for your idea to become a product?